A mammogram machine is expected to be in place by the end of this year, says Bob Williams, Secretary of Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.

The machine is listed as one of the ministry’s prioritised capital projects, costing $200,000. It is also included as a capital project in the 2024-2025 Health budget.

According to the Budget booklet, TMO receives an annual allocation of $300,000 for purchasing essential technical health instruments and equipment, aiding health professionals in conducting health check-ups and procuring vital capital equipment when necessary.

But for this financial year and the next, $500,000 has been allocated for new x-ray and mammography systems. Of this amount, $200,000 is allocated for the mammography machine in the 2024-2025 budget.

The Budget Book stated that the replacement of the existing x-ray machine is necessary as the suppliers will no longer provide maintenance support in the future.

Williams says a mammogram machine is expected to be in place before the end of the year and x-ray was still being discussed internally and with suppliers.

It was revealed earlier this year that the new machine is a Mammomat Revelation for tomosynthesis, designed to detect breast cancer earlier and help women stay healthy.

The last mammogram screening was held in 2022 where 809 women attended a four-week mammogram screening from August to September 13 at the Rarotonga Hospital. The programme was extended due to Covid-19, to cover the backlog from the previous two years.

According to the TMO National Health Information Bulletin 2021-2023, the Cook Islands cancer registry recorded 550 cases from 1990 to December 2023.

The five most prevalent cancers in the Cook Islands are skin 147, breast 131, corpus uteri 37, bronchus and lung 29, and prostate 36.

According to the latest report, skin cancer is recorded as the most common cancer in the Cook Islands and breast cancer remains a significant concern, affecting 131 women.

TMO states that common risk factors include a positive family history, obesity, increasing age and tobacco use.

From 2021 to 2023, there were 28 new cases, most of which were referred to New Zealand for treatment.

“And endometrial (Corpus Uteri) cancer is on the rise, largely due to obesity, reflecting the obesogenic environment in the Cook Islands. Most patients are referred to New Zealand for treatment, with many vital statuses unknown,” the report states, adding that TMO’s prevention plans are to focus on controlling NCDs by promoting physical activity and healthy diets,” the report said.

Prostate cancer remains one of the top three cancers among men and most patients receive treatment in New Zealand.

The report further states that lung cancer, with 29 cases among men, is commonly linked to tobacco use and family history.

The report added that the incidence of cancer significantly rises with age such as 50-59 years accounted for 15.8 per cent and 24.8 per cent in the 60-69 age group. The highest incidence is seen in the 70-80 age group, representing 30.7 per cent of cancers.